Day 70
A warm arm wrapped around Pepper's middle, and brought her out of her deep sleep.
"Wake up sleepy head," Tony's gentler voice whispered in her ear, and his soft lips pressed against her side of her neck.
"What time's it?" Pepper mumbled, and reached an arm up to run her fingers through his hair.
"11:00," Tony tucked his head into her neck as he spoke.
"What?!" Pepper sat up abruptly, "Tony! I have work!"
Tony smiled sheepishly, "I called in for you... I thought maybe we could spend the day together."
Pepper softened her face into a wide smile.
"I love that idea ."
Pepper draped her arms over fiance's shoulders and kissed him.
"I thought you'd be happy," Tony mumbled around her lips. Pepper pulled her head back a little to look the man in the eyes.
"Thank you."
Tony just beamed as she leaned in and kissed him again. He slid his hands down her back, sending warm shivers through her body.
This time it was his turn to break away from the kiss and he leaned down and kissed her belly.
"How is the smallest Stark doing?"
Pepper laughed. Tony never missed a chance to talk their child.
"Baby Stark is doing just fine this morning."
"Of course she is," Tony sat back up and pulled Pepper close to him with his strong warm arms; she felt safer than ever sitting there wrapped in his warm hug.
"I made breakfast," He spoke in between each kiss that he showered her cheek in.
"Why didn't you open with that?" Pepper giggled, "You know I am always hungry these days."
"Just thought I'd enjoy some time with soft early morning Pepper, before bossy Pepper wakes up for the day."
"Oh? So there are two of me now?"
Tony smiled, "You know what I mean, plus this will be our last valentine's day alone for at least the next 18 years," Tony pointed out rubbing one hand on her tummy.
"This is true," She kissed the top of his head.
"You want breakfast now?"
"I'm okay with being soft morning Pepper a little longer," Pepper murmured softly and reached her arm around his head that now rested on her shoulder. They hugged for long time just soaking up each other's presence. Pepper closed her eyes and breathed in his scent. The oh so wonderful scent of after shave and beneath that oil and the smell of hard work. She inhaled his wonderful aroma.
"I love you Tony," she tightened her arms around him with the sudden fear that he might fade away.
"I love you to Pepper," His voice was warm and soft, "I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Pepper pulled away from him a little to look into his deep brown eyes.
"I'm sorry I'm not here."
"But-"
"No Pepper. Its time for you let me go."
"No-" Pepper choked in confusion.
"I'm sorry, but I'm not coming home."
"Tony you-"
He looked at her with regretful brown eyes, obvious sorrow and pity written in them. He placed his warm hand against her cheek, and smiled sadly, "It's time to wake up Ms. Potts."
"Tony please no! Please just let this be real!" Pepper cried slowly realizing what was happening.
"I'm sorry Pep."
"No!" Pepper sobbed and hugged him, but the time she had, he was already fading away back to an untouchable memory.
Pepper sat bolt upright in bed with a cry. She looked wildly around her dark room and desperately searched the bed for the man she loved with some fading hope that he would some how be there.
He wasn't.
Pepper curled into a small ball on the bed, tucked the t-shirt of his, that she had taken, close to her. She breathed in its fading smell. She lay alone apart from the child in he womb, and she wept. She wailed into the dark lonely room. She cursed the stars burning millions of miles away that had swept Tony away from her.
She didn't go back to sleep.
Tony was lost somewhere in the stars, and he wasn't coming back.